WHO WE ARE

ABOUT US

Born in the backyard of a West‑Flemish family home and shaped by generations of craftsmanship, IGW has grown into a global leader in precision gearing, proudly part of the family‑led BMT Group. Today, our 1,200‑strong team shapes the future of high‑precision gears and machined components across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Our history

The beginning: a backyard workshop becomes a company

IGW’s origins go back to a small workshop built in the backyard of the Watteeuw family home.
Founder Alfons “Fons” Watteeuw, only 19 years old at the time, developed his passion for mechanical engineering thanks to his father, Henri Watteeuw.

Henri was a well‑known technical teacher in Flanders, admired for his expertise and his ability to explain complex mechanical principles.
He:

  • Taught at technical schools for decades
  • Wrote 14 books on mechanical engineering
  • Gave guest lectures at universities across Flanders
  • Inspired generations of young engineers — including his own son

It was this environment of craftsmanship, learning, and technical curiosity that encouraged Fons to start producing precision gears, marking the birth of what would become IGW.

First expansion
  • 1951 – IGW hires its first employee.
  • 1952 – The company becomes Watteeuw pvba and expands into mechanical constructions and special machining.
New facilities & industrial growth
  • 1962 – A new facility opens in Sint‑Michiels near Bruges.
  • 1964 – Arpic Engineering (later Atlas Copco) becomes a major customer, accelerating IGW’s industrial growth.
Entering aerospace
  • IGW takes its first step into aerospace by supporting the F‑16 programme, increasing its technical capabilities and reputation.
Professionalisation & relocation
  • 1981 – The company becomes MC Watteeuw.
  • 1987 – IGW opens a brand‑new production site in Oostkamp, where the headquarters are still located today.
Joining BMT Group
  • 1991 – BMT Group acquires IGW, paving the way for global expansion, professionalisation, and major technological investments.
Internationalisation
  • 1997 – A new plant opens in Brno, Czech Republic.
  • 1998 – IGW expands again with a plant in Iași, Romania.
  • 1999 – IGW celebrates 50 years and employs almost 600 people worldwide.
Becoming a global player
  • 2004 – The strong performance of our aerospace activities led to their spin‑off into a separate, specialized division within BMT Group: BMT Aerospace.
  • 2006 – IGW opens a production site in Suzhou, China.
  • 2013–2014 – Market expansion into the United States and complete rebranding from ‘Watteeuw’ to IGW.
  • 2015 – IGW acquires Involute Gear India, adding a major facility in Pune.
Focus, restructuring & renewed footprint
  • 2023 – IGW divests its rail division, transferring the rail‑focused plants in China and the Czech Republic to Voith.
  • 2024 – IGW integrates the VCST China facility into its network.
  • 2024 – IGW celebrates 75 years, with the IGW family having grown into a global team of 1,200 people.
Expansion into Mexico
  • 2026 – IGW launches production activities in Mexico, further strengthening its footprint in North America.

BELGIUM - OOSTKAMP INDIA - PUNE ROMANIA - IASI CHINA - CHANGZHOU MEXICO - LEÓN
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BELGIUM - OOSTKAMP

The headquarters of the industry division is located in Oostkamp. This plant has two main activities. On the one hand we specialize in ‘one-off’ to small series gears up to 2.3 m diameter. On the other hand we have been machining high‑precision, large-scale components for more than 50 years.

IG Watteeuw International nv

Kampveldstraat 51, 8020 Oostkamp

Belgium T +32 50 82 69 07

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CHINA - CHANGZHOU

Our China plant specializes in the production of gears for industrial equipment, with a strong focus on rotary and centrifugal compressors. Additionally, we manufacture rail and automotive parts in China. We are continuously expanding our capabilities within the industrial sector.

IGW Precision Gears (Changzhou) Co., LTD

8 Fushan Road, Wujin Economic Zone, Changzhou, China 213149

T +86 519 8169 0996

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INDIA - PUNE

Since 1984, our Pune based operations have evolved from a pre-turned parts subcontractor towards a reliable supplier of completely finished gears and assemblies. Recently we have built a completely new, 100% vertically integrated manufacturing site including critical processes like heat treatment & teeth grinding. Our three production plants have a production capacity of 5 million gears and shafts per annum and are servicing core sectors of the economy: agriculture, construction and other industrial applications (e.g. compressors). We deliver these products all over the world.

IGW India Technologies Private Limited

Formerly known as Involute Technologies Private Limited Gat No. 156,157,158,159, Alandi-Markal Road, Village Dhanore, Tal. Khed, Pune Maharashtra 412105 India

T +91 9175953574

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MEXICO - LEÓN - VCST

IGW has established a dedicated manufacturing line within the existing VCST plant in León, Mexico. This setup enables IGW to carry out machining activities for the North American industry, producing high-precision mechanical components such as gears and shafts, complemented by heat and surface treatment services.

VCST De Mexico S De R.L De C.V.

Boulevard Aeropuerto No. 3202 Loc. A San Juan de Otates C.P. 37670, León, Gto. México

T +52 477 152 6100

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ROMANIA - IASI

In Iasi we manufacture gears up to 1.2m for diverse industrial markets since 1998. This plant is completely vertical integrated capable of doing everything in house.

IG Watteeuw Romania S.R.L.

B-dul Chimiei nr. 6 Area B 700291 Iasi, Romania

T +40 374 100 235

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114 Revenue (M€)

1200 People

11 Capital spending (M€)

OUR VALUES

  • Trust

    We tell what we do and do what we tell.

  • EMBRACING DIVERSITY

    We create a global culture of cross-fertilization in order to connect talent and improve our processes.

  • WINNING WITH US

    We turn problems into solutions.

  • Passion to exceed

    We challenge the status quo.

TRUSTED BY OUR CUSTOMERS FOR THE LONG RUN

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STRONGER TOGETHER

PART OF THE BMT GROUP

We are proud to be part of the BMT Group, a family-owned enterprise with nearly 5,000 employees across 12 countries. Among its subsidiary companies are various global market leaders, such as BMT Aerospace, IGW, and VCST. Each of us is an expert in high-precision machining within our respective markets, allowing us to benefit from shared know-how across the group. This collaboration provides you with extra certainty, backed by our strong financial foundation. We truly are stronger together.

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